CITY CHARTER AMENDMENTS

Transit authority, housing office pass

Oahu voters approved yesterday the creation of new city government agencies to oversee the $5.5 billion rail transit project and to coordinate public housing programs.

In all, voters approved all six proposed amendments to the Honolulu City Charter.

The question with the highest profile was the proposal to create a Public Transit Authority to oversee the construction and operation of Oahu's rail transit system, the biggest public works project in state history.

It will be a semiautonomous city agency, similar to the Board of Water Supply. There would be a 10-member board of directors -- including the city and state transportation directors -- and an executive director chosen by the board.

The transit authority's powers will include acquiring land via condemnation (subject to City Council approval), executing contracts, issuing bonds and setting fares.

The initial phase of the rail line will run 20 miles from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center.

Mayor Peter Carlisle appeared in a TV ad in support of the transit authority question.

Voters also approved a proposed amendment to create a new city Office of Housing, whose tasks are now handled by the Department of Community Services.